Undergraduate Programs

ECHO School is a private initiative in Romania that offers access to BA and BSc programs in game design and development, game engineering, and computer arts and animation, in partnership with Abertay University, a leading educational institution from Scotland. The curriculum, developed by Abertay, emphasizes hands-on learning and practical experience to thoroughly prepare students for the fast-paced tech industry. Parents and prospective students can expect a creative, supportive environment that seamlessly bridges the gap between academic studies and real-world applications.

Applications are currently open for all 3 undergraduate programs: Game Design and Development, Game Engineering, Computer Arts, and Animation, until 1st of September.

Location:

Bucharest

DURATION:

3 Years

LANGUAGE:

English

DIPLOMA:

Game Developer Degree

ACCREDITATION:

UK Diploma

START DATE:

September 2026

Super Eary Bird Discount (until 31 March):

2000€

Eary Bird Discount (until 31 July):

1500€

Game Design and Development

Discover the captivating art of video game design and development! Learn to create remarkable interactive experiences, combining advanced technical skills with creativity and engaging storytelling.

Disclaimer
At ECHO School, academic content is developed in partnership with Abertay University. As Abertay continually seeks to enhance the student experience and ensure programmes remain relevant, courses and curriculum components are subject to change.

To maintain alignment with current industry standards and evolving professional practices, the curriculum may be updated annually. Any updates will be implemented to provide students with the most up-to-date knowledge and skills.

Game design & development

Year 1

The module will introduce students to the knowledge, processes and techniques necessary to formulate and explore effective, innovative game ideas with consideration for the structure of both gameplay and narrative design

The aim of this module is to provide the student with the theoretical, practical, and technical knowledge
required to utilise game engines and operate as an effective level designer.

Become familiar with how to design systems that specialize in the strategic and meticulous process of creating, balancing, and managing the in-game economy of a game.

This microcredential challenges you to address a major societal issue. You’ll choose your preferred format (podcast, poster, video, campaign, research project, TEDx-style talk) and receive feedback from peers and tutors as you develop it. The module ends with a showcase where you present your work.

In this module, students will work collaboratively with their peers, as part of a multidisciplinary team, to design and develop an interactive media-based project that makes use of design elements. Individual students will be expected to; make use of relevant development and creative skills to generate elements of a media project; participate in pitching and presentations; hone their communication skills to work effectively within the team setting and present their work clearly; research and test technical pipelines; create project documentation and planning materials; and work, as part of a collective, towards a final interactive piece.
 
Operating at the intersection of graphic visual communication design, interaction design, and user research, User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) designers hold significant responsibility within game development teams and digital design studios. This module provides an opportunity for students to develop their knowledge, understanding, and skills in UX design, whilst also developing their applied knowledge and understanding of underpinning theories and methodologies.
In this module students gain an understanding of the game development lifecycle, management of game development based on Project Management Frameworks and Software Development Frameworks and the management of live games or games offered as a service.

Year 2

In this module students will focus on the development of compelling gameplay systems. This will be done through development of both the technical and creative skills required to design game mechanics as well as a theoretical understanding of what constitutes a compelling numeric gameplay system. In implementing gameplay students will deploy rapid prototyping to plan and develop engaging game mechanics in modern game engines. Students will also consider wider systems design, incorporating the analysis of player data, to design engaging systems with considered rates of progression, resource acquisition and achievement for players.

This module develops an in-depth understanding of the issues around the production process and managing a creative team.

The field of game design encompasses a breadth of specialist roles and applications. In this module, students will be supported to identify their own areas of interest and professional specialisation, taking into account factors such as game genres, audiences, platforms, technologies, and content. With the support of the tutor, students will research game design practice and develop a PDP targeted at skill and portfolio development.

Year 3

This module explores how game design can be used beyond entertainment to address cultural, social, and civic themes. Students will respond to project briefs, develop interactive media outcomes, and strengthen their professional practice while considering how games can communicate ideas, support communities, and engage with real-world issues.

This module explores the games industry from historical, cultural, social, and professional perspectives. Students will examine how games are created, distributed, consumed, and understood across local, national, and global contexts, while developing the research and critical analysis skills needed to investigate contemporary issues in games and game production.

The client-based project module challenges the student to design, develop, and execute an extensive independent research project, underpinned by relevant critical theories, concepts, and practices within their discipline in collaboration with an industry client. This module approaches research as an active process of inquiry that leads to the production of insights pertinent to the student’s creative and professional field.

This module prepares students to develop a clear research topic, research questions, methods, and project plan. Students will explore relevant theory, existing practice, and research approaches while using practical development and experimentation to support their proposal.

Guy working on computer

What you can achieve

Potential Careers

This specialized program equips graduates with a unique blend of creative, technical, and problem-solving skills, essential for thriving in the fast-evolving gaming industry. From designing immersive environments and crafting compelling narratives to programming intricate gameplay mechanics and developing cutting-edge graphics, students are prepared to tackle various roles. Potential careers span across game design, development, and production, including positions as:

Game Engineering

Explore software engineering for games. Learn the utility of advanced programming and the experience of optimizing performance testing. Build the future of gaming with your skills!

Disclaimer
At ECHO School, academic content is developed in partnership with Abertay University. As Abertay continually seeks to enhance the student experience and ensure programmes remain relevant, courses and curriculum components are subject to change.

To maintain alignment with current industry standards and evolving professional practices, the curriculum may be updated annually. Any updates will be implemented to provide students with the most up-to-date knowledge and skills.

Year 1

Building on students’ knowledge of programming facilities taught in Level 7 programming modules (e.g. arrays, structures, simple collections), this module introduces the standard data structures and algorithms that form the core of algorithmic thought in computer science, and introduces students to the idea of reasoning about the behaviour and performance of a computer program.

An introduction to the programming concepts and techniques for developing games.
This module teaches fundamental mathematical principals to give students the building blocks required for 3-D graphics programming.

This module builds on Data Structures and Algorithms 1 by introducing students to parallel programming on shared memory and GPU architectures and the design
techniques underpinning parallel applications, using a range of case studies drawn from typical real-world applications.

This module provides an introduction to the principles of 3D graphics programming. Students will develop application that demonstrates real-time 3D graphics.

This module builds on Graphics Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms 1 and Computer Architecture and introduces the necessary components needed to develop a 3D physics-based game application considering the hardware.

Year 2

This module develops a critical understanding of the computer graphics programmable pipeline and various graphics techniques. Students will develop and evaluate techniques used to manipulate 3D graphics in real-time.

This module develops a critical understanding of the principles of formalising, implementing, testing and iterating on functional game mechanics applied in the context of a game engine.

This module provides an introduction to some of the many Artificial Intelligence techniques which are currently, or could in the near future, be used to enhance the development of intelligent systems applied to various application domains.

For this module, students will be required to work together on an interactive media project as part of a multidisciplinary team. Individual students will be expected to contribute to their team by taking on a professional role suited to their area of study. As part of the module, all students will be expected to: communicate with clients and relevant stakeholders; participate in pitching and presentations; research and test technical pipelines; create project documentation and planning materials; and contribute to the iterative design and development of a final interactive prototype.

Year 3

This module introduces the principles and techniques used to develop online multiplayer games. Students will explore network architectures, protocols, synchronisation, latency, security, and testing while designing and evaluating real-time multiplayer game systems.

This module prepares students for the professional environment of games programming. Through practical sessions and insights from industry professionals, students will explore recruitment processes, portfolio development, technical assessments, and career pathways while identifying areas for further skill development.

This module introduces the theory and practical application of digital audio and music in games. Students will learn how sound is created, processed, implemented, and controlled within game environments, while developing the technical knowledge needed to work effectively with audio professionals.

The client-based project module challenges the student to design, develop, and execute an extensive independent research project, underpinned by relevant critical theories, concepts, and practices within their discipline in collaboration with an industry client. This module approaches research as an active process of inquiry that leads to the production of insights pertinent to the student’s creative and professional field.

What you can achieve

Potential Careers

Embarking on a career path with a diploma in game engineering opens a world of exciting and diverse opportunities for graduates. From game development and design to programming and project management, the knowledge and experience gained through this program prepare students for roles that push the boundaries of interactive entertainment. Graduates can look forward to potential careers as:

Admission

Admission Criteria

Whether you’re a high school graduate or a transfer student, our comprehensive admission process evaluates your skills, creativity, and potential to thrive in this dynamic field. Join us to start your journey in becoming a skilled game developer, ready to innovate and lead in the gaming industry.

*It is mandatory that mathematics should be one of the subjects at BAC

Computer Arts and Animation

Learn everything you need to know about the captivating universe of art and animation! Learn to create remarkable artistic elements, bring animation to life, and design visually, using graphic tools and animation technology.

Disclaimer
At ECHO School, academic content is developed in partnership with Abertay University. As Abertay continually seeks to enhance the student experience and ensure programmes remain relevant, courses and curriculum components are subject to change.

To maintain alignment with current industry standards and evolving professional practices, the curriculum may be updated annually. Any updates will be implemented to provide students with the most up-to-date knowledge and skills.

Year 1

The module is designed to introduce students to the mechanics of motion and the art of 2D animation. Through a combination of hands-on exercises, lectures, and discussions, students will learn the 12 principles of animation, as well as fundamental principles of physics, and the role of anatomy and form as they relate to animation. They will also develop skills in using hand-drawn animation techniques and analysis of existing motion to create a series of simple animations. The course will also explore the use of motion in different contexts and encourage students to apply their knowledge and skills in the creation of a final original animation concept. By the end of the module, students will have a strong foundation in the basics of 2D animation and the ability to analyse and evaluate motion in their own and others’ work.

In this module the student will learn about preproduction visualisation as an important process applied in the conception and visual development of entertainment productions such as games, film, and animation, etc. The student will be introduced to foundational 3D production processes and techniques necessary for successful communication of visual concepts, such as modelling, texturing, lighting, animation, and audio, etc. Students will develop their ability to design original assets that can be utilised in the creation of original ‘proof-of-concept’ visualisation videos. By applying their growing fundamental 3D skills, and employing relevant development processes, students will learn to produce time-based, narrative-driven visualisations in which they demonstrate their ability to create and manipulate assets that result in visually enticing and understandable 3D sequences.

Artistic and technical processes in concept art and production for games, film, comics, and animation. Explore through visual research, observational and digital design, and industry applications. Produce a portfolio showing 2D digital production and concept skills.

In this module, students will work collaboratively with their peers, as part of a multidisciplinary team, to design and develop an interactive media-based project that makes use of design elements. Individual students will be expected to; make use of relevant development and creative skills to generate elements of a media project; participate in pitching and presentations; hone their communication skills to work effectively within the team setting and present their work clearly; research and test technical pipelines; create project documentation and planning materials; and work, as part of a collective, towards a final interactive piece.

This module will introduce students to 3D asset creation, providing them with the knowledge and skills required to design and build their own 3D assets for games in a production setting. By developing abilities and awareness within the field of 3D art asset creation, students will create their own strategies for independent learning within this broad subject area.

This module will ask students to build upon foundational concepts for animation and focus on developing the skills and knowledge necessary to create rich, engaging, and unique character personalities for games or film. This will include studying the principles of personality design and storytelling, as well as learning advanced techniques for creating character performances that are believable and emotionally resonant. Students will also learn how to create character animations for games, including the unique challenges and requirements of game animation, such as working within the constraints of real-time rendering. Through a series of hands-on projects, students will have the opportunity to apply their skills and create their own character animations that are rich in personality, emotionally engaging and considerate of context. The goal of the course is to help students become proficient in creating high-quality character animations that are both fit for purpose and emotionally compelling.

Year 2

This module is designed to enhance students’ ability to engage with theoretical and critical frameworks, to underpin specialist writing relevant to their domain of practice.

In this module students will advance their knowledge and understanding of the visual development cycle of digital art productions for games. Students will seek to develop a diet of research and practice that is industrially and commercially contextualized, alongside progressing their technical and creative skills.

For this module, students will be required to work together on an interactive media project as part of a multidisciplinary team. Individual students will be expected to contribute to their team by taking on a professional role suited to their area of study. As part of the module, all students will be expected to: communicate with clients and relevant stakeholders; participate in pitching and presentations; research and test technical pipelines; create project documentation and planning materials; and contribute to the iterative design and development of a final interactive prototype.

Year 3

This module supports students in developing a focused area of professional practice and research. Students will evaluate existing research and industry practice, strengthen their specialist skills, and develop a substantial body of pre-production and practical work aligned with their chosen field.

The module challenges the you to design, develop and execute a number of projects in response to industry and contextual professional awareness, underpinned by extensive research of concepts pipelines and professional expectations. By evaluating current skills in relation to industry expectations, you will work towards themed tasks to identify skills gaps and curate projects to address these areas. The final portfolio will evidence a sustained and proactive pursuit of specialist skills within the development of your professional portfolio development.

The client-based project module challenges the student to design, develop, and execute an extensive independent research project, underpinned by relevant critical theories, concepts, and practices within their discipline in collaboration with an industry client. This module approaches research as an active process of inquiry that leads to the production of insights pertinent to the student’s creative and professional field.

What you can achieve

Potential Careers

Graduating with a diploma in Computer Arts and Animation opens a world of creative and dynamic career opportunities. Students who complete this undergraduate program are equipped with a versatile skill set that blends artistic creativity with technical proficiency. This unique combination prepares them for various roles in the burgeoning fields of digital media and entertainment. Graduates can explore careers as:

Admission

Admission Criteria

Whether you’re a high school graduate or a transfer student, our comprehensive admission process evaluates your skills, creativity, and potential to thrive in this dynamic field. Join us to start your journey in becoming a skilled game developer, ready to innovate and lead in the gaming industry.

Embark on a Game-Changing Career.

From the very first semester, we ensure that you’re not just learning, but thinking, creating, and innovating like a developer. Whether you’re aiming for the indie scene or the AAA studios, we empower you with the knowledge, skills, and connections to forge your unique path in the game development industry.

Founding Partners

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Academic Partners

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